Shortly after Katara had woken up in the hospital she had been told that she could go home. But the sad truth was she had no home. At least not in this place.
After walking out of the hospital she had walked quickly and panicking in her new location. She had eventually started running and knocked over an elderly lady in the street.
When the woman asked what was her problem she began to sob and explained that she didn't know where she was. Feeling sorry for her the elderly lady, who was named Shizuku, brought her home.
"Here's your room," Shizuku said, leading Katara into a large room in her apartment.
The room had a mattress on the floor with silk covers that had intricate designs sewed into them. There was a bamboo dresser in the corner with a round mirror on top. The bathroom was close down the hall and the kitchen was next door.
"Wow…you didn't' need to give me such a nice room. I could just take the couch, you know," Katara said, feeling a little guilty that she was being so kind.
"Go ahead and take it. I have a feeling that you'll be staying for a while," Shizuku said not unkindly. "In fact, we can go shopping for new clothes for you after you get settled in."
Katara was so thankful that she hugged the woman and began to cry anew.
"Don't worry it's fine. It was my daughter's room before she moved out and I haven't had guests in years. In fact," Shizuku held her at arms length and studied her. "You look almost exactly like her." The old woman smiled thoughtfully.
"Thank you, Shi-san," Katara said wiping her eyes.
Shizuku cackled at this. "Shi-san! I haven't been called that in years! You make me feel better every minute. Now come, you must be hungry."
Katara nodded and they headed for the kitchen when the doorbell rang. "I'm coming, hold on." Shizuku shuffled over to the door.
When she opened it, Katara gasped. As did the young man on the other end.
"It's you!" they exclaimed in unison.
"You know him?" the elderly woman asked.
Katara nodded, her and Zuko's gazes locked. They stayed that way for a while.
"Well…guess I'll be leaving now," Hokuto said.
"No! You can stay. We were about to have dinner. You're more than welcome to join us."
Hokuto smiled and followed Shizuku to the kitchen. Katara and Zuko came at the rear, looking away from each other and blushing slightly.
Throughout the dinner Shizuku and Hokuto exchanged news while the two benders stared at their food. Even when they were finished, their plates seemed to be the most interesting things there.
The other two noticed soon. "So where are you two from."
For a few moments they didn't seem to hear. They began to speak at the same time and cut off suggesting that the other could say first.
Finally, Katara gave in. "I'm from a small tribe in the South Pole."
The two women exchanged confused expressions then Hokuto spoke up. "Where is that?"
"South?" It sounded more like a question than an answer.
"Obviously," she said. She turned to Zuko. "Are you from there as well?"
"Uh, no I, um, I've been traveling with my uncle for a while."
"Ah," Shizuku said. They all sat silently for what seemed to be an eternity before the old woman got up to wash the dishes. Hokuto helped her, both of them looking at the two benders every once in a while and whispering as if they weren't within hearing range.
Both Katara and Zuko didn't notice though. They were looking at the various things on the walls, trying not to look at each other, with bored expressions.
Zuko found a picture on the wall that he was staring at without really knowing, a thousand different thoughts running through his head. In the picture there was a woman that looked like a younger Shizuku, a man a few years older, and a young girl about the age of three. They were all standing in front of a small house that was made of wood and painted white. It looked new in the picture but would have been 20 years older in the present.
"Ah," Shizuku repeated herself thoughtfully. "That was my husband and daughter in our first house. We had lived in a small apartment that we had rented out before that."
"Was?" Katara asked cautiously.
"My husband died a few years ago." The old woman sighed sadly her face reflecting unknown memories of a time long ago.
"I'm sorry," she whispered sympathetically.
Zuko nodded an apology and looked away. Katara saw sadness in his eyes, probably remembering a similar loss.
Hokuto faced them and cocked her head toward Zuko.
"'Kay, we know that Katara will stay with you but what about him?"
Shizuku looked over at the Fire Nation Prince and shook her head solemnly.
"I don't think there would be enough room for two teens. I'm sorry, dear."
Zuko shrugged. "I kinda figured that would happen. I can find a place somewhere else."
"Hm. There is a cheap inn around the corner. It may not cost much but its service is amazing. I could pay for your room."
"You don't' need to do that on my account. I can get a job and rent an apartment somewhere. I'll be fine."
The old woman put her hands on her hips stubbornly.
"Young man, no matter how long we argue over this matter you'll come to the conclusion that this is the better plan on your account. Eventually you will be thankful for what I'm doing."
Zuko sighed but nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Oba-san."
Shizuku shuffled into her room and got a slip of paper with instructions to her bank account and a note.
"Give this to the woman at the desk. She'll take care of everything. And be careful. The girls in this village are viscous and with your looks you'll be devoured in seconds." She winked, her eye wrinkling even more than it had before.
"Thank you," Zuko repeated and bowed to the elder. He walked toward the door with Hotuko at his heels. He turned before he left to catch a last glimpse at Katara and smiled.
She returned it shyly and gave a small wave. After he was gone Shizuku turned to her and gave a sly grin.
"Stop thinking that, it isn't like that at all," the Waterbender demanded. Shizuku continued to grin as she put away the dishes and headed for bed.
Later that night, lying on her mattress, Katara looked out at the stars through her window and thought about the day's events.
She didn't know why but she couldn't get Zuko out of her head. He was the enemy she was supposed to hate him. But he wasn't. He was getting better and it was obvious on his face. As she continued to think she found herself drift off into a deep sleep under the silk covers.
There you go! You have officially exited my Zutara fantasy, please exit on either side of the story and come back soon! Hope you enjoyed! Oh, and PLEASE REVIEW! Thankies.